When we speak, we do more than just share our thoughts and words. We are competing for peoples’ attention, which according to researchers is less than that of a goldfish, just around 8 seconds!
When we speak to an audience, that’s what we are dealing with! They have better things to do, easier distractions, and all at a magical touch!
SO WHY SHOULD THEY LISTEN TO US?
Because of our content? Maybe. But will they? Maybe not.
So how do we speak to Goldfishes? Every few seconds sprinkle in a bit of these!
1. HUMOR
This one is a given! Laughter bonds people and gets attention. Self-deprecating
humor is the best! Improvisation skills are a great way to come up with humor on
the spot! That’s a skill that you won’t be let down by!
2. SMILE
Look at an audience member, and smile! They will almost always smile back! And
it’s a great way to boost your silent energy too! Of course, a little bit of caution – or a
serious point might go wary, or you may come off as creepy! Be strategic!
3. SHOCK
Unexpected things always gather attention! Sudden changes in pitch, sounds, and
actions! I remember shouting ‘GOOOOD MORNING’ at a disinterested audience! I
was so loud, I woke them up for sure! Not saying it’s the best way to do it, but the
element of shock wakes people up!
the audience does not smile, nod, engage or connect, I can feel it in my bones that I
am bombing as a speaker. And that’s not a shock we want, is it?
As speakers, we may have great content! And we must do! But if we need the content
to be consumed well, we need to amp up our delivery.
